Chapter 22 Guardian of the Holy Sect

The "good man" Duke Frandel led an army heading towards the border day and night. The nobles of the territory along the way led their subordinates to gather towards the duke according to feudal laws. The Antioch team was growing stronger and stronger. It can be said that the military forces of the entire Antioch Kingdom were gathering here. In the end, this army of 5,000 people approached Saladin's vanguard under the flag of the Gossein of the Duke Frandel family. However, although the number of troops seemed to be very considerable, Duke Frandel was not happy at all, because the number of knights in the army was not large, less than one-third of the entire army. How would no knight resist Saladin's Mamluk cavalry?

"There are too few knights, too few." The old duke murmured to himself, his brows frowned. The powerful kingdom of Jerusalem, which had always been powerful, resisted Saladin's attack, and the Antioch kingdom would rather use money to enjoy themselves than equip their knights because of peace and comfort. The knights had long forgotten how to fight and bleed. Many knights even turned into merchants. When they received the order of their feudal monarchs after the war broke out, they would rather spend money to hire mercenaries than put on armor and ride on war horses, and go to the battlefield to find their own glory.

"We can only count on the Knights, but the Knights, the hospital closest to us, will take some time to reach our territory." The attendant said to the old duke.

It is so difficult to establish a kingdom on this land full of pagans. Just as the Kingdom of Jerusalem was established by the powerful military support of the Templars. The establishment of the Antioch Kingdom was established with the help of the Knights of the Hospital. Most of the members of the Knights of the Hospital were monks, who provided various relief and medical assistance to the pilgrims. In this land full of dangerous thieves and jackals, the monks had to take up weapons to fight beasts and enemies. Over time, a semi-religious and semi-military organization was formed. It can be said that the combat power of the Knights of the Hospital was not worse than that of the Knights of the Templars, but they were just more low-key.

"Good news, my master, the Grand Commander of the Knights of the Hospital, has sent us a unit to help us fight against the evil Saladin." Just when the old duke was worried, the guards brought him good news.

"Is this true?" This sudden news really surprised the old duke. His memory of the Knights of the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine should not have that unit nearby, so he looked at the guards who were sending the order in confusion.

"It's true, Lord Duke. Although the army of the Knights of the Hospital has not arrived yet, the Grand Commander has already sent people to the Saints Cemetery and summoned the guardians of the Holy Grave there." An excited look appeared on the guard's face. The guardians of the Holy Grave were second only to the guardians of the Knights of the Hospital. If they had their help, why worry about Saladin's army.

"Look at that, they are the guardians of the Holy Sect, oh~~~." The soldiers cheered enthusiastically in the march. They raised their weapons and paid tribute to the guardians approaching their troops.

"Boom~~~." Taking heavy steps, a monk in a black shirt of the Hospital Knight Order and wearing chain armor came silently. They lined up in neat formations. The leader at the front proudly raised the black-backed white cross flag representing the Hospital Knight Order. Each of these priests held a giant sword that was tall by one person. The sword body of the giant sword emitted a shining cold light, the hilt of the sword hilt was cross-shaped, and there was a small thorn at the front of the sword hilt. After the Crusaders captured the Holy City, there were saints cemeteries everywhere on this land where the Son of God had traveled. In order to protect these sacred religious cemeteries, the Knight Order selected the best knights. They were skilled in martial arts, firm beliefs, and fearlessness. They were elites among the elites, and this was the guardian of the Holy Sect, the knights with a sacred mission.

"Mr. Duke, we will come and wait for your orders as the command of the Grand Commander." James, the leader of the Guardian of the Holy Grave, said after saluting the old duke. His face was sharp, his cheekbones were tall, his nose was firm, and his eyes were filled with indifference.

"Thank you, Priest James, for your joining, we are like a tiger." Duke Frandel immediately replied. Although the guardian of the Holy Sect, dressed like an ordinary priest, looked very ordinary, the old duke knew that James was actually a nobleman from the royal family. His body was filled with royal blood, and he gave up everything for his own beliefs. When he entered the Knights in the hospital, he had no special care, just like an ordinary priest, praying for work and training every day, and gradually accumulating merits in the heroic battle with the pagans.

"Yes." James nodded silently, and then led his subordinates to the Duke's troops. The Antioch soldiers looked at these mysterious priests, feeling that God had opened the door to victory for them. The addition of the members of the Knights of the Hospital inspired the soldiers, and their pace was even more firm.

When the old duke and his army arrived at the Border Sent Fort, the castle was still in the hands of the Antiochs, so the old duke arranged his troops in an oasis fifty miles away from the castle, forming a horn with the guards of the castle. The arrival of the old duke's army awakened Muhard's spirit. The light cavalry from both sides continued to come out of the camp and go to test and reconnaissance.

"How many enemies are there?" Muhard sat in a tent and asked a sweaty desert archer.

"Many adults, their camps are covered with the entire oasis, with at least 20,000 people." The archer wiped his face with his sleeves. His face was dark and sweat made it oily.

"Do they have many knights?" Muhald frowned. The 20,000 people did surprise him a little, and even he had to order a retreat for a moment.

"Not many, they have few horses, many infantry, and many of them are mercenaries." The archers looked very good. He saw many people in the desert joining the Antioch army for money, but the Antiochs did not expect much to rely on their loyalty. If the situation was not good, they would leave soon.

"Oh, I'll just say that the cowardly Antiochs could not accumulate so many soldiers." Muhald breathed a sigh of relief. How could the infantry waving a simple spear be the opponent of the heavy cavalry such as Mamluk? Don't expect mercenaries. After seeing that the Antiochs' doomsday is coming, the crescent moon flag will soon be inserted into the Antioch castle.

"But even so, we are not sure to defeat them, they are too many." The Crescent Priest sat aside and said to Muhard that war is a cruel art, and any carelessness can lead to failure.
Chapter completed!